One of the players who’s making a strong case to be selected very early in the 2018 NFL Draft is Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan. He absolutely crushed the combine on Sunday and is drawing comparisons to none other than J.J. Watt.
Indeed, the two players are very similar in size. Watt measured in at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. Bryan showed up to this year’s combine as a 6-foot-4, 291-pound bundle of muscle.
Here’s a bit more information that shows just how similar the two men are in terms of raw athleticism, strength and speed.
Florida's Taven Bryan has drawn J.J. Watt comparisons. His 2018 Combine supported them. @GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/XMrRyZGEKX
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 4, 2018
Florida's Taven Bryan broad jumped 119" and had a 35" vertical.
He's staying close to the historic J.J. Watt combine at almost the exact same size.
Watt broad jumped 120" and had a 37" vertical.
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) March 4, 2018
Of course, the biggest reason that Watt has been so great, dating back to his days at Wisconsin and into the NFL with the Houston Texans, is that his motor never quits. Nobody’s ever questioned Bryan’s desire to play hard on every down, either, so if he can stay hungry the young man has some serious potential to become great as a professional.
Bryan is more potential than finished product at this time. Then again, so was Watt when he entered the league. Because the two players are so very similar in terms of size and athleticism, it’s going to be fascinating to see how long this Florida product lasts when the first round kicks off in April.